As adults age, once simple tasks like sitting, standing, and walking can become more challenging, leading to a reduction in physical activity. Older adults should participate in safe and effective moderate physical activities to achieve an improved quality of life. Sadly, one-third of adults over the age of 50 lack physical activity in their daily lives. 1 Older adults living a sedentary lifestyle have reduced strength and balance which increases risk of falling2. Senior adults, age 65 and older, are at high risk for falls with one out of three seniors falling each year.3 Daily living aids are helpful tools that will keep you safe and moving independently. AllegroMedical.com presents five daily living aids to help you increase physical activity safely.

Sit-To-Stand Position

Movement from a sitting to standing position is an important skill that facilitates independence. Without the ability to perform this basic skill elderly people are at risk for institutionalization due to limitations in performing daily living activities. 4

Using a seat assist such as a lifting cushion to move from a sit to stand position eliminates the need for standing assistance from caregivers. This assistive device removes the possibility of inflicting pain or harm to the individual requiring assistance which can occur during manual assist to stand.5 The UPEASY lifting cushion provides users with a gentle and stable automatic boost when leaning forward preparing for a sit-to-stand movement.

“Recent knee surgery has made rising from seated position difficult. Using the uplift seat assist has made a significant difference. I will likely use the seat assist throughout my recovery and beyond. ” Review by AllegroMedical.com customer Lameduck from Aptos, CA

Since lifting cushions are designed for use only on your chair or sofa a security pole and curve grab bar is another independent living aid that assists with movement from a sitting to standing position. Tension mounted security poles don’t require permanent installation making them a great option for individual changing needs. Simply grasp the curved grab bar to climb up to a standing position.

“Bought this for my mom. She is recovering from a broken hip. We use it in the bathroom to help her with her transfer to a bath bench. It is also used to assist rising from the toilet. I have to be honest, I automatically reach for it , too. I am 61 &; need to protect my back. I care for an 84 year old mom &; a disabled 16 year old daughter. This pole is incredibly sturdy, stable &; easy to install. I can’t find any cons. The price was great.” Review by AllegroMedical.com customer Barb the Builder from DHS, CA

Seniors with sit-to-stand movement issues are less inclined to drive due to the difficulty of exiting the vehicle into a standing position. Losing driving ability for many aging adults decreases independence and fosters a sedentary life style. Leverage support exiting a vehicle by inserting a heavy duty steel Handy Bar into the side door locking mechanism and stand with confidence.

Grab bars are essential daily living aids that provide assistance and added safety for sitting and standing. Suction cup grab bars install without tools or holes and are completely portable. These grab bars are like having an extra hand to help provide support for standing up from the commode, bathtub, or any place extra balance support is needed.

“My father refused to allow us to drill ‘holes’ and screws into the fiberglass shower. These were perfect for our use. I liked the ability to adjust and move them to where they worked best for him. I did have to lean hard onto one wall to get the best suction and securement due to a small wave within the wall. I wish there was something similar to these for dry wall surface walls by the commode. Another area he will not allow us to drill holes into.” Review by AllegroMedical.com customer, Vicster from Danville, Ky

Walking

Elderly adults with unstable gait who have experienced falls tend to diminish physical activity such as walking out of fear of falling again. This lack of activity promotes physical weakness and makes the individuals more susceptible to falling. 3

Walking aids such as rollators are safe and effective in helping individuals with unstable gait. 6 Rollatorsare walkers for indoor or outdoor use with typically four wheels, a seat, and hand brakes and are for people with limited upper body strength. The convenience of the seat allows users experiencing fatigue to rest for a few minutes while walking.

“I am 63 years old. I fell down a flight of stairs and have severe damage to my spine and partial paralysis of my right leg. I was using a standard walker but when I saw this beauty on your web site, I knew that it would work better for me. Standing in line at the market, etc. is just intolerably painful for me. This little beauty helps keep me more independent and able to function. Thank you for offering this little lady.” Review by AllegroMedical.com customer IrishTeaCup from Sunland, CA

Don’t lose your independence. If you have difficulty sitting, standing, or walking, seek the guidance of a physician to see what aids are right for you. Return to AllegroMedical.com for all of your solutions for maintaining an active and self-reliant lifestyle.